THE new deal for Christian Benitez can be revealed by the Birmingham Mail today.

Once a knee complaint threatened to derail the transfer of the Ecuador striker, crisis talks were held between Blues, the player, his representatives and Santos Laguna, his club.

After certain medical assurances, Blues opted to proceed but ensured that they were covered in case Benitez breaks down next season.

They drew up a ‘protected purchase’ plan, and Benitez made it clear he was willing to go along with pretty much anything in order to secure his dream transfer.

Blues will pay just $2 million, about £1.2 million, for the next 12 months and at the end of that period have a ‘get out’ option to cover themselves should Benitez’s knee have caused him grief in that time.

Thereafter, they will shell out money over a period of years, incorporating chunks for appearances and success, that could take the eventual price to $12.5 million, or £7.75 million.

The original fee agreed was $10 million (about £6.2 million), plus a further $5 million (about £3 million).